DaveLeeNC

I currently own two Garmin HRM straps that are functional but not functional because I can't get the screws off the back of the HRM strap sensor thingey (battery replacement issue). And now my third one is getting weak, but this time I was careful to rinse the thing off after most uses to minimize sweat based crap that might make the screws hard to remove. Despite owning 3 "precision screwdriver sets" (down to 1.4mm flatblade and 2mm Phillips head), out of the total of 12 screws there is not a single one that I can remove.

What exactly do folks folks use (successfully) to remove these screws.

Thanks.

dave

woodcraft

I took it to the hardware store & ended up with Ace brand double-ended screwdriver

from the counter next to the cashier.

sdmc530

Yep, worst design ever. I actually ended up breaking mine getting it open after stripping the screw because they were so warn. So I now wrap it electrical tape to keep it sealed up. Works fine but will not put a new battery in it again. Its 4 years old now and will just buy a new one. I contacted Garmin about this issue and they would not sell me the parts, said I had to buy the complete works.

Try a jewelry type screwdriver too if woodcrafts idea doesn't work. I wish I would have.

good luck

Dopefish905

FlashBazbo

I wear my Garmin HR strap five or six days per week, all year 'round. I wash it every other week or so and hang it to dry. I find that the strap starts to delaminate about the same time the battery dies -- 18 to 24 months in. So, I just replace the strap. Life is too short to try to replace that battery!

ddub

One word, Wahoo. Toss the Garmins and spend 50 on a Wahoo Tickr HR. I know this doesn't address your problem but I also struggled with the Garmin monitors, both iterations. Expensive chest straps that don't last or don't connect well. My Wahoo has a long battery life, it connects easily and even indicates that it's working. Battery changes are simple. Oh and new chest straps are cheap.

on the path

Do you mean new Wahoo chest straps or new "other brand" straps are cheap? I'll be looking again very soon.

I successfully changed out the battery in my Garmin a couple of times but I have a feeling I won't be quite so lucky next time. Those little screws are pretty corroded and my tool just doesn't want to grab them well.

ddub

I bought other brand straps from an Ebay seller. About 8 dollars or so. Purchased two thinking the original would last similar to the garmin but it's still going and I haven't used the other brand straps yet so I can't comment on longevity but the quality looks about the same.

on the path

OK, here's the ticket. This cost me 5 bucks at ACE hardware. Probably could have gotten it cheaper but I got to test it in the store. It is the correct size, works. Nice tool.

DrIsotope

A 2mm Phillips worked perfectly for me.

Bmach

Carbonfiberboy 

Another using a jeweler's screwdriver, the kind with a swiveling top that I can really push down on.while turning it. It is hard to do it perfectly so that it stays watertight, though I usually succeed.

on the path

[QUOTE=Carbonfiberboy;20733135]Another using a jeweler's screwdriver, the kind with a swiveling top that I can really push down on.while turning it. It is hard to do it perfectly so that it stays watertight, though I usually succeed.[/QUOTE]

The one I pictured has the concave swivelling top and the grip is very easy to manage. I tried it on my older Garmin sensor and readily loosened each of the 4 semi-corroded screws. Though I'll probably use this tool one or twice a year, I'm very glad I now have it.

DaveLeeNC

It looks like a trip to Ace Hardware (maybe online) is in order here.

FWIW, I have two 2mm Phillips screwdrivers and neither one will do the job (for at least two of the HRM's). To be honest I cannot be positive that I tried all eight screws

dave

on the path

I already had a set of small precision screwdrivers. None of them fit the Garmin screws.

eja_ bottecchia

rower2cyclist

Million times THIS. I have both. Replacing Garmin battery is PITA. All you need when you change Wahoo battery is a dime.

I wanted to buy those tiny Garmin screws online but they don't even sell them LOL. Now my Garmin HRM connects to 810 but not to my trainer as it used to. Found online that the remedy is put the battery opposite way to reset the HRM unit. LOL what a POS.

DrIsotope

Well, if we're comparing one-off anecdotes, my Garmin soft strap HRM recorded 700 hours of rides in 2018 and never dropped out once. Replacing the screws took 2 minutes using the proper screwdriver. Seeing that Garmin claims a battery life of around 1,500 hours, I don't see this as an issue for most anyway. I bought the Garmin because of battery issues with previous HRMs-- as the Wahoo is ANT+/BT and has LEDs, there's simply no way the battery will ever last as long as the Garmin.

Will I buy a Wahoo when the Garmin finally gives up? Who knows. Maybe. I know I don't like how the TICKR strap attaches.

WhyFi

I no longer have a Garmin HRM, but this ^^^ was what I suspected the problem was - JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screws/screwdrivers look very much like Philips, but they're not the same. A Philips driver will often pop out of JIS screws, which are more common than you'd think. I actually need to pick up a set of JIS screwdrivers to do a little camera lens surgery.

mvnsnd

I recently got a Wahoo TICKR when my Garmin HR unit suddenly died. I also do not like that the Wahoo strap need the HR unit in place to be warn. That's one point where Garmin has an advantage, so my solution was to 3D print a "dummy" sensor to use to hold the strap on until I actually need the sensor in place. It actually works well to hold the strap together until I need the sensor.

Even still, with the Garmin sensor cover, the plastic under the screws is very thin and can break along the outer edge rendering the cover useless. That's happened on one of my older ones. I complained about it when seeking warranty for the one that died, but who knows if they will update that cover.

colnago62